Township declares its hope for metro

23 July 2015 - 02:02 By Penwell Dlamini

A metro is the only solution that the people of Bekkersdal, on the West Rand, have in getting out of the cycle of the non-delivery of services to their township. Bekkersdal residents packed the Westonaria banquet hall to express their hopes on the proposal for a West Rand metro council during public hearings held by the Municipal Demarcation Board yesterday.Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan has applied to the board that Merafong, Westonaria, Randfontein and Mogale City municipalities be merged into a single metropolitan area.One of the economically depressed areas of the proposed metro is Bekkersdal, which has experienced some of the most violent protests in Gauteng in recent years."Let us give the metro a chance, maybe it can make a difference."Our municipality has been a sinking ship for years. Why should we oppose the metro before it is even tried?" said Brenda Cebekhulu, a Bekkersdal resident.Teboho Sigwetshe echoed her view."What we currently have is a system that is fragmented. When we amalgamate, we gain better recognition and attract private investors. Furthermore, a category A municipality has benefits on its own."We are trying with what we have but we believe that when we join our resource with other municipalities we will be able to render a better service," he told the hall.Gauteng Premier David Makhura is in full support of the metro as it fits perfectly with his vision of a Gauteng city region.The board will complete its consultations in Mogale City tomorrow and a final decision will be gazetted before the end of next month...

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